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SK-II vs Galderma

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

SK-II and Galderma are skincare brands founded in Japan and Switzerland respectively. Skincare enthusiasts cherish the Japanese brand for its nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, clarifying toners, and gentle formulations powered by pitera, while the Swiss brand offers specialized serums. The former suits dry sensitive skin and combination skin best due to their balancing and soothing nature, whereas the latter provides targeted options for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. Ultimately, the two brands differ through the Japanese brand's holistic range versus the Swiss brand's focused topical treatments.

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular SK-II and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular SK-II vs Galderma products

People Say

SK-IIGalderma
  • Clears acne and prevents breakouts Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Improves texture and smoothness Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Smoother skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Radiance and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “My skin is glowing now. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Lightweight and absorbent Often MentionedNot noted
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Anti-aging and brightening Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Reduced sun spots — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “reducing the appearance of fine lines — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Intense burning and severe dryness Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • High price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Breakouts and skin purging Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Redness, irritation, and stinging Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “red as tomato — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaches fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Lack of results or underwhelming effect Often MentionedNot noted
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Questions and answers

SK-II or Galderma: which is better?

Galderma is better for clearing acne and breakouts with its effective serums, whereas SK-II does better for deep hydration, texture, and radiance using its fragrance-free formulas containing Pitera. Reviewers note that Galderma's products on this page can cause severe dryness and irritation, while SK-II fits dry sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin best according to Lovi.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 2021

What is the difference between SK-II and Galderma?

Galderma performs better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts with effective serums, whereas SK-II does better at improving texture, providing deep hydration, and adding radiance with products on this page.

Which is more affordable, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is more affordable, whereas high price is noted as a drawback for SK-II among the products on this page.

Which causes fewer breakouts, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma does better at clearing acne and preventing breakouts, according to reviewer themes on this page. Lovi rates Galderma's Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC serums as having a High fit for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin.

Which brand performs better for deep hydration and moisture, SK-II or Galderma?

SK-II performs better for deep hydration and moisture. The products on this page help improve moisture and hydration, whereas reviewers mostly mention severe dryness and peeling for Galderma.

Do SK-II or Galderma products contain fragrance in their ingredients?

Every product on this page from both SK-II and Galderma lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts, SK-II or Galderma?

Galderma is better for clearing acne and preventing breakouts. Reviewers mostly mention that its serums are effective at clearing acne, and the products on this page include treatments like Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC 5.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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